I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, | 





$ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. & 



HOSFORD <fe KETCHAM, 
STATIONERS AHD PSI3TESS, 

67 and 59 William St., N. Y. 



A 

HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 



DELIVERED AT 



THE LAST SERVICE 



HELD IN THE 



%tkxmti! frot^tant gtttrfj Cjmrjrjj, 

CORNER OF BROOME AND GREENE STREETS, 

NEW YORK CITY, 

APRIL 15, I860. 

BY THE PASTOR, 

REV. PETER S^RYKER. 



(Published by Request of the Consistory . 



NEW YORK: 

BOARD OF PUBLICATION 

OF THE 

REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH, 
SYNOD'S ROOMS, 61 FRANKLIN ST. 

I860, 



(Storing Sftnxtti. 



The Sanctuary belonging to the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church on the corner of 
Broome and Greene streets having been sold, the 
last religious services were held in it on Sabbath, 
April 15, 1860. 

In the morning, at 10 J o'clock, a large audience 
assembled to hear the oldest living pastor, Rev. 
Samuel A. Van Vranken, D.D., Professor in the 
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, 1ST. J., 
who discoursed about the Cloud overshadowing 
the Tabernacle, from Exodus 40 : 34-38. 



6 



CLOSING SERVICES. 



At two o'clock, p. m., a number of friends fol- 
lowed the remains of Mr. Thomas F. Peeney, a 
worthy disciple of Jesus, to the house of God, and 
listened to some remarks of the pastor, founded 
upon 1 Thessalonians 4: 14. Only two weeks 
before, Mr. Peeney was in the Sanctuary, appa- 
rently in his usual health. In common with 
many of his fellow members, he was looking for- 
ward with great interest to the last Sabbath in 
the Broome Street Church. His body was pres- 
ent, but the soul released from mortality, we trust 
was in the heavenly temple. 

At 3J- o'clock, p. m., a throng again assembled 
in the old tabernacle, to listen to one who was 
the longest settled pastor, Rev. George H. Fisher, 
D.D., who discoursed concerning God as seen in 
the Sanctuary, from Psalm 63 : 2. 

It is an interesting fact, that at this service three 
little children were presented by their parents, in 
covenant to God by baptism. 



CLOSING- SERVICES. 



7 



In the evening, at o'clock, the Church was 
crowded to its utmost capacity, when the present 
pastor, Rev. Peter Stryker, preached a Dis- 
course on the History of the Church, which, by 
general request, and under the authority and su- 
pervision of the Consistory, is now published. 



"AND THOU SHALT REMEMBER ALL THE WAY "WHICH THE LORD THY 

God led thee."— -Deuteronomy 8 : 12. 

For forty years Moses led the children of Israel 

in their march through the wilderness. At length 

they stand on the brink of Jordan, and soon will 

cross the stream, and enter the land of promise. 

But their leader cannot accompany them. He 

must be contented with a view of the goodly 

country from the top of Nebo. And very few 

of those who left Egypt will go over Jordan. 

Nearly all the old patriarchs have fallen victims 

to their perverseness and cupidity. It is for their 

children to receive the promised inheritance. 
1* 



10 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



To these young Israelites Moses speaks with all 
the tenderness and solicitude of a father who is 
soon to close his eyes in death. Part of his fare- 
well advice we have in the words of our text. 

Beloved people, among whom I have labored in 
the Gospel for nearly four years — years to me of 
much happiness, I trust to you of some benefit — 
in view of the change now transpiring in our 
experience as a Church, I can find no words more 
appropriate from which to preach to you the 
final discourse in this place, than those which 
were addressed by the distinguished Hebrew to 
his loving and beloved followers. 

Let us, then, in gathering up our church remin- 
iscences, previous to our removal, consider the 
way God has led us, and how we are to remem- 
ber it. 

I. In considering the way God has led us, we 
are introduced to the whole history of this Church 
from its incipiency to the present time. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



11 



And here, at the outset, an interesting fact 
meets us. This Church, which has been large 
and influential, in which much of the wealth of 
New York has been congregated, and from which 
even in the period of its financial embarrassment, 
large sums of money have been contributed to 
benevolent purposes — this Church was started as 
a missionary enterprise. 

A society was organized, January 9th, 1822, 
called "The Missionary Society of the Reformed 
Dutch Church." The first missionary in their 
employ was the Rev. Robert Mc Lean ; and the 
first enterprise they originated through him was 
that which in a very short time resulted in the 
formation of this Church. 

There was then no church of our denomination 
between Franklin street and the village of Green- 
wich. The society, therefore, determined to lo- 
cate their missionary near the corner of Canal 
street and Broadway, a part of our city then 
growing rapidly. But as no suitable room could 



12 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



be obtained in that immediate locality, in which 
to hold divine service, the junction of Howard 
and Elm streets was selected as the central point 
of missionary operations. A room was there ob- 
tained, in which Mr. McLean preached every 
Sabbath morning and evening, and in which he 
lectured one night in each week. With the ex- 
ception of some twelve weeks in the summer of 
1822, when the yellow fever was very prevalent, 
these exercises were continued in that place for 
about a year and a half, the attendance being 
very respectable, and the words of the preacher 
regarded as impressive. 

But the room and locality were not attractive ; 
and as persons of means and influence were join- 
ing the enterprise, it was determined to build a 
church edifice on the corner of Broome and 
Greene streets. Accordingly three lots of ground 
were purchased of Mr. Stephen Van Courtland, 
who conveyed them by deed to Messrs. Cornelius 
Hyer, Timothy Hutton, William Shaw, James 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 13 

Bogert, Jr., and Gerard Beekman. These gentle- 
men were chosen as the building committee, and 
held the property in trust until the Church was 
organized. 

The corner stone was laid in June, 1823. A 
large company of the prominent clergymen and 
laymen of the Reformed Dutch Church in the 
city of New York assembled on that occasion at 
the residence of a prominent citizen in Spring 
street, and walked in procession to this site; and 
then, in the presence of a numerous concourse of 
people, the venerable Dr. John H. Livingston, 
laid the corner-stone of this building, in the name 
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and 
accompanied this solemn ceremony with a most 
earnest and eloquent address. 

In the month of October following, service was 
commenced in the basement, and from that time 
onward the indefatigable Missionary preached 
three times each Sabbath, and lectured once in 
the week. 



14 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



On February 8th, 1824, this building was dedi- 
cated to the worship and service of the Triune 
God. On the morning of that day, Rev. Dr. 
Milledollar preached from 2 Chronicles 6 : 18 : 
" But will God in very deed dwell with men on 
the earth ? Behold heaven and the heaven of 
heavens cannot contain Thee : how much less this 
house which I have built !" In the afternoon of 
the same Sabbath, Rev. Dr. Mc Murray preached 
from Psalm 89 : 15 : " Blessed is the people that 
know the joyful sound! they shall walk, O 
Lord, in the light of thy countenance." In the 
evening, Rev. Dr. Mathews preached from Ezekiel 
37: 11: "Then he said unto me, son of man, 
these bones are the whole house of Israel." All 
these services were largely attended, and the 
names of the preachers afford sufficient evidence 
that they were conducted with interest. 

The first cost of this building was $13,000, 
which, added to the cost of the lots, amounted to 
$16,200. This, however, does not include the ex- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



15 



pense of building the galleries and the front por- 
tico, additions which were made a few years sub- 
sequent. To meet the expense incurred, $9,000 
was obtained by subscription, and $7,000 be- 
came a church debt, which, in three or four years, 
was paid off. 

This Church was organized by a committee ap- 
pointed by the Classis of New York, on the second 
Wednesday in December, 1823, when Messrs. 
Luke Hinchcliff, and Stephen Hasbrouck, M.D., 
were installed elders, and Messrs. John Butler and 
James Smith, deacons. Subsequently James 
Smith was chosen clerk, and Leonard W. Kip, 
Esq., treasurer. 

Concerning this latter gentleman we must be 
permitted to say a word in this connection. I trust 
my worthy friend will pardon the mention of his 
name and deeds, but as it is a part of the history I 
must speak of him. "With all the ardor of early 
manhood, and trusting in God, he consented to 
undertake the duties and responsibilities of church 



16 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



treasurer. Through all the embarrassments neces- 
sarily attending a new enterprise, he continued 
at his post, by his energy, prudence and liberality, 
carrying the Church safely through all its early 
financial difficulties. 

In the year 1835, about eleven years after the 
organization of the Broome Street Church, Mr. Kip 
resigned his office as treasurer, that he might give 
his labors to the Reformed Dutch Church in Ninth 
street, which was then an infant organization, un- 
der the pastoral care of his brother, the Rev. Fran- 
cis M. Kip. During this period the late William 
Hardenbrook, Jr., acceptably filled the office thus 
rendered vacant. In the year 1838, Mr. Kip return- 
ed to this Church, and w T as again elected treasurer. 
Since that time he has annually been chosen to the 
office, and at considerable sacrifice and with com- 
mendable fidelity has fulfilled its important duties. 
It is a remarkable circumstance, that he w T ho, 
more than thirty-six years ago, at the organi- 
zation of this Church, was elected its treasurer, 



HISTOKICAL DISCOURSE. 



17 



is acting in that capacity still, and has been dur- 
ing the interesting period, with the exception of 
about three years. The shades with thee, beloved 
friend, are stretching lengthily in the past ; but 
thy form bends forward, and thy step is toward 
heaven : and though thy eye is dim, and earth 
fades from thy view, soon with new vision thou 
wilt see the King in glory, and take thy place in 
the upper sanctuary. In the name of the Church, 
which thou so well hast served, I greet thee here 
to-night, and fervently invoke choice blessings on 
thy head. {See Note A.) 

But let us return to our early history. The 
Church, having been organized ecclesiastically, 
was regularly incorporated under the title of "The 
Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church in Broome Street, in the 
City of New York," by deed or declaration to that 
effect duly executed and acknowledged by the 
said elders and deacons, (there being then no in- 
stalled minister,) dated January 26th, 1824, and 
recorded in the Register's Office, January 27th. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



In the month of April, in the same year, the 
Rev. Robert McLean, who had acted first as mis- 
sionary and then as stated supply, was called to 
the pastorate, and in the month of May was install- 
ed by a committee appointed by the Olassis of 
New York. From that time onward the new vine, 
planted by the divine Gardener, as we believe, and 
watered with the dews and showers of grace, 
flourished more and more. 

In the month of July, 1825, the pastor met with 
a severe trial, which almost paralyzed his energies. 
Mrs. McLean, who was a most estimable pious wo- 
man, and devoted wife and mother, was suddenly 
removed by death. Her remains were deposited 
beneath the edifice, under the floor of the lecture 
room, on the east side, and there they still repose. 
A kind friend of the old pastor and his wife, and 
of the Church, has generously signified he would 
remove this sacred dust to his private vault. (See 
Note B.) 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



The Rev. Mr. McLean continued pastor until 
April, 1826, when, with the consent of the Consis- 
tory, he resigned his charge, and with his two in- 
fant children sailed for Europe. He was an Eng- 
lishman by birth, and on his return to his native 
country he became pastor of a dissenting church in 
Liverpool, in which the lamented Rev. Mr. Spen- 
cer preceded him, and which for many years has 
been under the care of the Rev. Dr. Raffles. He 
died a little before the year 1850, his two children, 
one of whom had arrived to manhood, having de- 
ceased before him. It is stated that their death 
greatly depressed his spirits and hastened his own. 

This is all we can glean concerning the history 
of the first pastor of this Church. All who knew 
him and were accustomed to hear him preach, tes- 
tify that he was a man of more than ordinary tal- 
ent, a sound theologian, a forcible reasoner, a plea- 
sant speaker, a man of piety and power. And his 
short ministry here — in all only about four years, 
in two of which he acted as missionary and two as 



20 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



pastor — was greatly blessed. As a preacher he was 
popular. Many of the intelligent and wealthy, as 
well as the humble classes, flocked to hear him. 
From the minutes of General Synod, held in 1825, 
we learn that during the preceding ecclesiastical 
year, there were received to the Church under his 
ministry thirty -five persons by certificate, and twen- 
ty-seven by confession of faith, in all sixty-two. This, 
certainly, for an infant Church, was a large number, 
and indicates that the pastor was faithful and suc- 
cessful. Had he remained, and been able to over- 
come his mental depression induced by affliction, 
doubtless this Church, under his able ministrations, 
would have flourished as it did under his succes- 
sor. 

And now that the first pastor is gone, where 
shall the new and as yet feeble Church look for 
another ? The name of Dr. Brodhead was suggest- 
ed. But by the majority the thought of procuring 
the services of so distinguished a divine was deem- 
ed altogether visionary. The voice of a few hope- 



HISTORICAL DISCOTOSE, 



21 



ful ones, however, prevailed. An urgent and 
unanimous call, immediately after the resignation 
of Mr. McLean, was forwarded by a committee to 
the Kev. Jacob Brodhead, D.D., pastor of the 
Crown Street Reformed Dutch Church, in Phila- 
delphia, which soon met with a favorable response. 
In a letter dated April 7th, 1826, Dr. Brodhead 
writes : "According to my promise, I now inform 
you that I have determined, in the fear of the 
Lord, to accept the call from you and the Church 
which you represent. I need not say to you, what 
you must have supposed, that this determination is 
accompanied with the most painful apprehension of 
the result. That I come at a sacrifice is well 
known, but that I shall not regard if the Lord is 
pleased to use me as an humble instrument to pro- 
mote His glory and the cause of the Redeemer 
among you. I cast myself entirely upon Him, 
even upon Jehovah Jesus, my Saviour, whose I 
am and whom I desire to serve." 

That it was with reluctance the Church in Phila- 



22 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



delphia relinquished the services of their pastor is 
evident from the resolutions they passed in ac- 
cepting his resignation, in which occurs the follow- 
ing language: "This Consistory sincerely regret 
the determination of the Rev. Dr. Brodhead to ac- 
cept the call presented him, especially since his 
labors in this Church have been evidently succeed- 
ed by the blessing of the Most High ; and since, 
from his faithful and persevering devotedness to 
the glory of the great Head of the Church, and the 
welfare of this our Zion, his tender and affectionate 
regard for the spiritual interest of the flock of 
which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer, — 
and that for his private deportment as well as his 
public ministrations — he has become very much 
endeared to the people of his charge." 

Thus, at a sacrifice on his own part and also 
on the part of his former people, that holy man 
came to take charge of this Church. He came 
because he felt that God, in a peculiar manner, 
called him, and had a great work for him here to 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



23 



perform. He conferred not with flesh and blood. 
He came as Peter went to Csesarea, without gain- 
saying, as soon as he was sent for. And the se- 
quel proves he did right. God blessed him, and 
made him a blessing to the people. 

Well known as a popular preacher and pastor, 
Dr. Brodhead did not fall back upon his former 
fame. From the beginning he threw his whole 
soul into the holy work of the ministry. He 
preached plain, practical, pungent discourses, and 
his acceptable pulpit services were followed by 
equally faithful and pleasing pastoral visiting. As 
a consequence, the Church was soon thronged with 
attentive hearers, and the membership rapidly in- 
creased. In less than four months every pew and 
sitting in this edifice was rented, and then a galle- 
ry was erected. Soon this also was crowded, and 
then the upper gallery was built for the accommo- 
dation of the Sabbath school children. At this 
time the Church was filled to its utmost capacity, 
and continued so during Dr. Brodhead's pastorate 



24 



HISTORICAL DISCOTTRSE. 



of over eleven years. It was a common thing for 
people of wealth to apply for seats six months in 
advance, and some who could not be accommodat- 
ed went away weeping. 

With a proper regard to appearance as well as 
convenience, it appears that early in the year 1828 
a project was initiated, and in the course of the 
season prosecuted and completed, by which the 
iron railing was put around the Church, the wood- 
en steps superceded by stone, and the columns in 
front erected, all at a cost of about $3,000. (See 
Note C.) 

But we turn with greater pleasure to the statis- 
tics, which evidence the spiritual prosperity and 
growth of this portion of Zion in those days. From 
the Church records it appears there were received 
to the communion, during Dr. Brodhead's pasto- 
rate of eleven years, four hundred and ninety-one 
members, of which number two hundred and eigh- 
teen were admitted on confession of faith, and two 
* hundred and seventy-three by certificate from 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



25 



other churches. During the whole of this period 
there never was a communion season that passed 
without some additions. This shows conclusively 
that the Church was in a healthy condition. 

By many people this has been and is yet known 
as " Dr. Brodhead's Church." And there is good 
reason for it. He found it an infant enterprise, small 
and feeble. He nursed it carefully as a mother 
does her babe. He fed it with pure milk, and as 
it was able to bear it with the strong meat of the 
Gospel. And every thing favored his labor here. 
The cream of New York society was gathering in 
this vicinity when he came from Philadelphia, and 
up to the time when he left this pastorate, the 
wealthy, the intelligent, the pious were living near. 
The changes which have since occurred, and 
which have so thoroughly discouraged some of 
his successors, did not commence until shortly be- 
fore his departure. And with these favorable cir- 
cumstances in Providence, and his own peculiar 

fitness for the field of labor, the Spirit of God was 
2 



26 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



with our departed father, and gave a holy tone to 
his entire ministry. 

Great anxiety was felt and expressed when it 
was known that the pastor was anticipating a re- 
moval. And when, in a kind and tender letter, 
he announced to the Consistory the necessity for 
such action, and asked them to unite with him in 
requesting Classis to dissolve the pastoral connec- 
tion, they demurred- — they said plainly, no. Com- 
pelled, however, to reconsider this vote, in giving 
up their beloved teacher, they declare : "While 
they deeply regret that his health has become so 
impaired as to render a change of residence neces- 
sary and a separation from his congregation una- 
voidable, still they would rejoice and bless God 
that he has been permitted for so many years to 
break unto them and to the congregation under 
their care the bread of life. They believe and 
are assured that his ministry among them has been 
owned and blessed of the Lord in the ingathering 
of souls, and in upholding the weak of the flock. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



27 



They thank God that in his late affliction he has 
been enabled to enjoy the comforts of that Gospel 
with which he has so often cheered the people of 
his charge under the chastening hand of their 
heavenly Father. 55 

These were no words of formality, no ointment 
to heal up old sores. They were the expression of 
true and loving hearts. They were the outgushing 
of souls grateful for the past, and sad on account 
of the experience of the present. 

I cannot close this portion of our history without 
giving a concise sketch of the life of him who was 
once so prominent in this Christian community, so 
useful and beloved in this Church, and who has 
gone to his rest and reward. The following facts 
are derived from the address delivered by Dr. De 
Witt at his funeral. 

The Rev. Dr. Jacob Brodhead was born at Mar- 
bletown, Ulster co., 1ST. Y., on the 14th of May, 
1782. Having graduated from Union College in 



28 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE* 



1801, he immediately commenced the. study of di- 
vinity with Dr. Solomon Froeligh. Called to act 
the part of tutor in Union College, he continued 
his theological studies under the direction of his 
uncle, Dr. Theoderick Eomeyn. In April, 1804, 
he was licensed by the Classis of Albany to preach 
the Gospel. Immediately after his licensure he 
received a call from the Reformed Dutch Church of 
Rhinebeck. After a pleasant ministry there of 
five years, in the year 1809 he resigned his charge 
to accept a call from the Collegiate Church in the 
city of New York, and here became the colleague 
of Rev. Drs. Livingston, Kuypers, Abeel and 
Schureman. After much solicitation and with 
careful consideration, Dr. Brodhead, in 1813, ac- 
cepted a call to become pastor of the Crown Street 
Reformed Dutch Church in Philadelphia. In that 
connection he remained thirteen years, honored by 
his neighbors, beloved by his people. In the 
year 1826 he was induced to return to New York, 
and become the pastor of this Church. After la- 
boring here eleven years, on account of ill health 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



29 



he removed to Saugerties, Ulster co., N. Y., in 
1837, and entered upon the pastorate of the Re- 
formed Dutch Church of Flatbush, adjacent. His 
health being restored, he was induced, after much 
urgent solicitation, in 1841, to become the minis- 
ter of the Central Reformed Dutch Church of 
Brooklyn; in this position he remained until 
the year 1846, when he resigned the pastoral 
office. After this he preached much for vacant 
churches, and for his ministerial brethren. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1854 and '55, the winter preced- 
ing his death, Dr. Brodhead preached in this pul- 
pit (then vacant) once each Sabbath. In April, 
1855, his health failing, he visited his daughter at 
Springfield, Mass., and there, in the arms of his be- 
loved and honored son, J. Romeyn Brodhead, Esq., 
and of his affectionate daughter, Mrs. George M. 
Atwater, he gently breathed his last breath, June 
6th, 1855, aged 73 years and 23 days. His pre- 
cious remains were brought hither, and after ap- 
propriate and impressive exercises in the North 
Dutch Church, were entombed in the ministers' 



30 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



vault attached to that building. The whole Church 
mourned. General Synod, then in annual session 
at !New Brunswick, N. J., passed resolutions of re- 
spect to his memory, and delegated a committee 
of twelve to attend his funeral. Devout men of 
every persuasion followed him to his burial, and 
the tidings of his death gave sorrow to many 
• Christians throughout the land. 

The Eev. Dr. Bethune, in a commemorative 
discourse, thus speaks of him : " Having dedicat- 
ed himself to God in his fresh youth, he kept his 
vow steadily unto the end. So far from losing the 
warmth of his love, it grew with his experience 
and his knowledge of the Saviour. This, doubt- 
less was assisted by the strength of his constitution, 
his ardent temperament and healthful disposition. 
!N"o one could look on his marked, pleasing features, 
expressive of thought and feeling, his tall, manly 
frame, and his easy, prompt movement, without 
recognising a sound mind in a sound body. Frank, 
generous and kind, he appeared what he was. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



31 



When he gave you his hand, yon knew that his 
heart came with it ; and his smiles or tears were 
natural as a child's. 

" It is no wonder, then, that, under the influence 
of religion, he was what he was. Firm, yet not 
impassible ; consistent, yet not pragmatical ; stead- 
fast in faith and virtue, but free from exacting . 
bigotry and petty scrupulosities ; fearless in cen- 
sure of vice and damning error, yet tolerant of 
human weakness ; covetous of converse with the 
gravely wise and wisely good, yet affectionately 
considerate of the young and delighting to take 
little children up in his arms ; open to approach, 
and winning in his advances ; so mingling freely 
with all classes, but ever mindful of his allegiance 
to the kingdom which is not of this world, he 
proved not less in the common duties of daily life 
than in the fellowship of Christian solemnity, that 
his piety was a dominant principle, maintained by 
habitual communion with God, study of the Scrip- 
tures and contemplation of eternal things." 



32 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



I have thus entered somewhat particularly into 
the character of the first two pastors as well as the 
history of the Church in their time. It was prop- 
er to do so, because these dear fathers in the min- 
istry have gone from earth. They rest from their 
labors, and their works do follow them ; and more- 
over, under their pastorates, the Church was or- 
ganised and established. 

My other predecessors in this charge are still liv- 
ing, each one to speak for his Master as well as him- 
self ; and if the history of the Church is not as re- 
plete with interesting incidents in their time as it has 
been before and since, it is because the river runs 
more quietly in its deep, broad channel than when, 
a little rill, it plunges in a noisy way down the 
mountain side and over its pebbly bed, or when 
near its mouth it wildly dashes over the rapids into 
the sea. 

A fact is here worthy of notice. It has never 
been the policy of this Church to wait long after 
losing a pastor before endeavoring to secure ano- 
ther, and in this endeavor they uniformly have 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 83 

been successful. During a very little time has this 
pulpit been vacant. The eyes of the people have 
constantly seen their teachers, and their ears have 
ever heard a voice behind them saying, This is the 
way, walk ye in it. Scarcely had Mr. McLean re- 
signed his call and embarked for Europe before 
Dr. Brodhead was standing in his place to an- 
nounce the message of life. And so when the 
latter retired to the country to relax and strength- 
en his weary powers, at once his successor was 
chosen in the person of Samuel A. Van Vranken, 
D.D., who for many years had been the popular 
pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church of 
Freehold, N. J., and at that time was preaching 
with great acceptance in the Eeformed Dutch 
Church of Poughkeepsie. "We need not wonder 
that our excellent friend, then in the prime of life, 
at first declined to leave a village one of the most 
enterprising and pleasant in the country, and a 
Church which was and is still among the most in- 
telligent and desirable in our connection. He 

positively declined. But Broome Street was per- 
2* 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 



severing. The call was renewed. The importance 
of the field was mentioned, the unanimity of the 
people urged, and at length the country yielded— 
the city conquered. In a letter to the Consistory 
of this Church, dated December 6, 1837, but a few 
weeks after Dr. Brodhead's dismission, Dr. Yan 
Yranken writes that he will come if he can get a 
release from his present charge : and in December, 
1837, he was installed as pastor of this Church by 
the committee appointed for that purpose by the 
Classis of New York. 

After a faithful ministry of four years, during 
which he endeared himself to many without as well 
as within this congregation, Dr. Yan Yranken was 
in the autumn of 1841 elected by the General Sy- 
nod to fill the chair of Didactic and Polemic The- 
ology in the Theological Seminary at New Bruns- 
wick, rendered vacant by the resignation of Rev. 
Dr. Milledollar. In a minute of their proceedings, 
dated October 25th, the Consistory say they "deep- 
ly regret the loss of the services of their beloved 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



35 



pastor. Yet they feel gratified that he has been 
called to duties of higher and more extended use- 
fulness. And being fully convinced that it is his 
duty to the Church at large to accept the responsi- 
ble office conferred on him by Synod, they do 
agree to unite with him in application to Classis, 
according to his request, commending him to God, 
whose he is and whom he serves, and praying that 
the precious truths of the Gospel, which he has for 
four years past been permitted to proclaim in their 
midst, may be as good seed, which shall spring 
forth and bear a glorious harvest." In a subse- 
quent minute we find a resolution to the effect 
that a delegation of six be appointed to attend the 
inauguration of the Rev. Dr. Van Yranken as 
Professor of Theology in the Seminary at New 
Brunswick, on the 14th day of December next. 

For nearly twenty years has our worthy friend 
continued in this position, an houor and blessing 
to the Church of his fathers. Many of our present 
ministry have felt it a privilege to sit at his feet, 



36 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



as Paul did at the feet of Gamaliel, to receive 
from his warm heart and parental lips those les- 
sons of wisdom which they in turn have been and 
still are giving to the Church and the world. 

Beloved Instructor, may you long be spared to 
grace the holy office given you, to teach our young 
prophets, and through them to speak to millions 
more ! And when the mandate comes to summon 
you to join the sainted Livingston, Milledollar, 
Cannon, Ludlow, and others who have passed away, 
may yon, like them, gently fall asleep in the arms of 
Jesus, and awake to the enjoyment of everlasting 
life and glory ! 

In the good providence of God, the eyes of the 
Broome Street Church were now turned to the Rev. 
George H. Fisher, pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
Church, of Hudson, N. Y., and who, previous to 
this, was pastor, first, of the Reformed Dutch 
Church of North Branch, and then of the Reform- 
ed Dutch Church of Fishkill. It was no doubt a 
sad and difficult task to tear away from a beloved 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



37 



Church to which, for six years, he had ministered, 
which was organised under his supervision, and 
from infancy had been nursed by him like a child, 
and amid which he had formed many pleasant as- 
sociations. But the unanimity of the call and the 
prospect of enlarged usefulness induced our beloved 
brother to make the sacrifice. He came, and on 
February 13, 1842, was installed by a committee 
appointed by Classis, Eev. Prof. Yan Yranken, 
by request, preaching the sermon, and Rev. Dr. 
Brodhead delivering the charge to the pastor and 
people. 

For a longer time was Dr. Fisher settled here 
than any pastor before or after him. For a period 
of more than thirteen years — a long period in these 
days of ministerial mutation — he went in and out 
before this Church and congregation, breaking to 
them the bread of life. At many a sick bed did he 
stand to give comfort and encouragement, in many 
a desolate habitation did he enter, carrying the 
cheerful lamp of the Gospel. Not a few depart- 



38 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE. 



ing souls have breathed out with their latest 
breath rich blessings on their pastor's head, and 
many yet live, some here, more elsewhere, to praise 
God they were permitted here to enjoy the minis- 
try of my beloved brother for so many years. 

It is proper here to mention that in the year 
1843, during the pastorate of Dr. Fisher, the in- 
terior of this building was considerably modified, 
adding much to its appearance and comfort. 
This pulpit was then built, the pews were cut 
down and surmounted with new mahogany tops 
and scrolls, and furnished with new upholstery. 
For these repairs and additions, an expense of 
about $3,300 was incurred. 

In the month of December, 1854, Dr. Fisher 
received a call from the Reformed Dutch Church 
of Utica, which he deemed it proper to accept. 
In a letter, addressed to the Broome Street Con- 
sistory, he writes : " You are aware, the reasons 
inducing me to accede to a request to change my 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



39 



field of labor, arise solely from the difficulties with 
which the constant and increasing removals of the 
people of the Church and congregation, from the 
vicinity of our house of worship, have surrounded 
us. And now, in connection with the importance 
of the pastoral charge offered to me, and the 
unanimity of voice with which I am happy to say 
the people of that Church have spoken, they have 
drawn me to the conclusion that it is my duty to 
remove from New York to Utica." "What could 
this Consistory say or do ? They loved their pas- 
tor. They knew the people loved him. But they 
could not be selfish. Satisfied that his welfare 
demanded it, with sorrowing hearts they con- 
sented that the tie which had so long bound them 
to their minister should be sundered, and then, 
having borne sincere testimony to his faithfulness 
and love, they bade him and his beloved house- 
hold farewell, and followed them with prayers 
and tears to their new home. Five long years, 
peculiar years to this Church, have elapsed since 
that hour of sad separation ; but doubtless there 



40 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



are many here today, whose minds bound over 
the intervening period as if it were only a point of 
time ; and, as they remember the sunny days of 
the past, rejoice even now, when a dense and 
gloomy cloud is lowering over the tabernacle, to 
see their old pastor ; old, I mean not in his years, 
but in his relation to them ; and their ears have 
to-day listened with delight to the mellow tones of 
his familiar voice. I know I but echo the feelings 
of the flock, beloved brother in the ministry, and 
predecessor in this charge, when I say, " God bless 
you, spare your life to a good old age, continue 
your usefulness even to the end, and then reunite 
you to those loved ones of your family, and others 
of this fold, who have gone before to glory !" 

Discouraged by the loss of their pastor, there 
was now a strong inclination manifested on the 
part of the Consistory and congregation to change 
the location of the Church. But God had deter- 
mined this should not yet occur, and in his provi- 
dence directed attention to a young and talented 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



41 



brother, who for three years had been pastor of 
the Reformed Dutch Church of Geneva. The Rev. 
Henry Y. Yoorhees was called, and having ac- 
cepted the invitation was installed pastor of this 
Church, by a committee appointed by Classis, in 
the month of May, 1855. 

The ministry of our beloved brother seemed 
likely to prove a wonderful success. Possessing 
many elements of popularity, his fame soon spread 
abroad, and numbers crowded hither to hear him. 
But, alas ! all hopes were soon cast to the ground. 
Assailed by disease, the preacher, after a few Sab- 
baths of service was prostrated, and a second trial 
was followed by a similar result. It being evident 
that the sick pastor needed perfect rest, by the ad- 
vice of his physicians he resigned his call, Decem- 
ber 20, 1855, less than three fourths of a year 
from the date of his installation. Convinced that 
it was their duty to him and the Church to do so, 
the Consistory reluctantly accepted the resigna- 
tion, deploring the necessity which compelled 



42 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



them to this action, and invoking from the great 
Head of the Church, in behalf of their retiring 
pastor, restoration to health and prolonged useful- 
ness in the Church. 

For a year or more our brother was prevented 
by sickness from attending to the duties of his 
holy office. But it is a matter of joy to this peo- 
ple, and of congratulation to the whole Church, 
that he has been able for three years past to labor 
in the vineyard, having been called to and in- 
stalled pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of 
Bound Brook. May his bow long abide in 
strength, and like his Master may he increase in 
favor with God and man. 

Subsequently a call was made upon the Rev. 
Alexander R. Thompson, of Staten Island, which, 
although twice presented, was twice declined. 

In the month of April, 1826, a call was made 
upon the Rev. Peter Stryker, then pastor of the 
Reformed Dutch Church of Rhinebeck, previously 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



43 



of the Third Reformed Dutch Church of Raritan. 
Having accepted the call, Mr. Stryker entered 
upon his duties here the second Sabbath in May, 
and on Sabbath evening, June 1st, was installed 
pastor of this Church by the committee appointed 
by Classis, his father, Rev. H. B. Stryker, by re- 
quest, preaching the sermon, Rev. Dr. Vermilye 
delivering the charge to the pastor, and Rev. 
Jeremiah S. Lord the charge to the people. And 
he who was then united to you in this most im- 
portant and tender relation, rejoices, that after the 
vicissitudes of nearly four years, he is still per- 
mitted to sustain toward you that relation, and to 
greet you as his beloved people, his joy and 
crown. 

To speak of my own ministry is a delicate and 
by no means enviable task. Yet I would be very 
faulty as a chronicler did I not mention some facts 
which constitute a part, and a very important part 
too, of our history. 

God has greatly favored us, dear flock. He who 



44 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



came among you with much trembling and weak- 
ness, is to-day physically stronger than he was 
four years ago ; and you who were then but few 
in number are now quite a multitude. 

But notwithstanding all our increase in other 
particulars, it has for some time been evident we 
were greatly on the wane in our fiscal arrange- 
ments. That blackest of all clouds, a church debt, 
was brooding over us. We could not drive it 
away either by our prayers or efforts. Despite all 
our financiering it grew thicker and darker. With 
all due respect to our good old fathers, many of 
whom are now we hope in heaven, and to our 
beloved brethren who still hold the reins of gov- 
ernment, we are compelled to say, in review of 
the past, this Church has been generous to a fault. 
It has provided for all but itself. Ever ready to 
contribute to causes of benevolence, in its palmy 
days, when the thing could have been prevented, 
it permitted a debt to be formed. And this crea- 
ture, at first only a little thing, has grown to be a 
perfect monster, a very tyrant that stands over us 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 4:5 

with whip and scourge, and threatens to drive us 
to destruction. 

The Collegiate Church very kindly gave us a 
thousand dollars a year for three years, their bene- 
faction beginning in May, 1855, and ending in 
May, 1858. This was of great assistance. When 
our brethren felt compelled to withdraw this aid, 
the congregation, then very much enlarged in 
numbers and quickened in energy, were rallied, 
and nobly subscribed for the ensuing year the 
sum of $1,700. The year following, that which is 
now near its close, found the people still ready, 
but not so able. Last May many of our wealthy 
patrons moved away, and the subscription was 
reduced to $1,300. At no time was the amount 
subscribed by our people, or generously donated 
to us by our neighbors, adequate to meet the de- 
ficiency existing. 

It became evident, a year or more ago, to those 
intrusted with the financial affairs of the Church, 
that this state of things could not last. It was 



46 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE* 



ruinous. Nay, something must immediately be 
done. Not only was our debt like a rolling snow 
ball, increasing rapidly in size, but like a huge 
weight which one was trying to roll up hill, all 
the while threatening to come down upon the 
mover and crush him to powder. We needed 
help for the present emergency. It was earnestly 
solicited but came not. The only alternative was 
to move. (See note D.) 

Just at this period of time, the Livingston Re- 
formed Dutch Church, worshiping in a hall on 
the corner of Thirty-third street and Eighth ave- 
nue, made overtures to us* They proposed in their 
weakness to merge into us, on condition that we 
would agree eventually to move up and build a 
Church in their vicinity* This proposition cost 
them a great sacrifice. It supposed the removal 
of their beloved pastor, Rev. F. N. Zabriskie, who 
had labored among them faithfully and with con- 
siderable success for three years — the loss of their 
name, the very best name, we think, in the Dutch 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



47 



Church— the breaking up of their Church organi- 
zation—the blotting out of one of the stars in our 
ecclesiastical firmament-— the frustration of long 
and fondly-cherished hopes— the formation of new 
and to them uncertain associations. I know they 
had much to gain. But let it not be forgotten 
those dear brethren had much also to lose. The 
poor man^s home is pleasant to him, be it ever so 
homely, and it is not without a heart struggle that 
he breaks from it, to find lodgment beneath a loftier 
roof or in a statelier mansion* 

But the proposition to coalesce supposed a sacri- 
fice also on the part of the Broome Street Church, 
a very great sacrifice, as- we all felt then, and feel 
perhaps more deeply now. At first, therefore, the 
offer was declined. But the inability of this congre- 
gation to furnish the requisite means, even for pre- 
sent emergency, compelled the Consistory to recon- 
sider this action. They in turn made overtures to 
the Livingston Church, which were accepted, and 
the proposed union was consummated. The Classis 



48 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



of New York, to which both bodies belonged, ap- 
proved the action ; the members of the Livingston 
Church were transferred to us, and since May, 
1859, we have been one. 

Very fortunately, we obtained the able services 
of the Rev. Professors Campbell and Woodbredge, 
of New Brunswick, to assist in preaching. These 
brethren, in company with the Rev. H. B. Stry- 
ker, supplied the up-town congregation during the 
summer very acceptably. 

Last autumn it became evident we could strug- 
gle with our dilapidated finances no longer. We 
must make arrangements for moving in the spring. 
The pastor accordingly, by request of the Consis- 
tory, and with the consent of the Professors, occu- 
j)ied the Chapel pulpit every Sabbath evening, 
and lectured there once during the week, while the 
Professors in turn have supplied the pulpit in 
Broome Street every Sabbath afternoon. 

In the mean while, negotiations were pending 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



49 



for the sale of this property. {See Note K) This 
object was at length accomplished, and eligible 
building lots were also purchased in Thirty-fourth 
street. In the new location the work is progress- 
ing. The ground is nearly ready for the builders, 
and we are to-night, April 15th, 1860, holding ser- 
vice for the last time in our old and beloved Sanc- 
tuary. 

I have thus rapidly sketched the history of this 
Church from its infancy to the present time, view- 
ing each pastorate separately. Permit me to 
add a few facts in general review. 

The statistics show that there have been, in the 
period under consideration, between thirty-six 
and thirty-seven years, 488 marriages solemnized 
by the pastors ; 557 infants have been baptized, 
and 1,204 members have been admitted to this 
communion, of which number 688 have joined us 
by certificate from other Churches, and 516 on 
confession of their faith. At almost every com- 
3 



50 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



munion, since the organization of the Church, 
some additions have been made. The grace of 
God has thus descended upon us like the dew, 
gently, constantly, refreshingly. 

While many who have here given themselves 
to the Lord have gone forth to other Churches in 
this city and throughout our land, and as laymen 
are exerting a hallowed influence for Christ, a few 
here converted have devoted themselves to the 
ministry of reconciliation. The Rev. William R, 
Gordon, D.D., now pastor at Schraalenburgh, 
lately in the Seventh Avenue Church in this city ; 
Rev. Isaac P. Stryker, who went out as a mis- 
sionary to Borneo, but died before he commenced 
his labors for the conversion of the heathen ; and 
Rev. Benjamin C. Lippincott, pastor of the united 
Churches of Hurley and North Marbleton, were 
all the children of this Church. Here they em- 
braced the Saviour, here espoused his cause, here 
devoted themselves to the ministry, and here they 
were supported while engaged in their prepara- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



51 



tory studies. Rev. Harvey D. Ganse, pastor of 
the Twenty-third Street Reformed Dutch Church, 
in this city, was for many years a pupil in our- 
Sabbath school; and perhaps others have been 
more or less intimately connected with us, who are 
now occupying important places in the Master's 
vineyard. Nor must I fail in this connection to 
speak of Leonard W. Kip, Jr., very dear to me as 
my son in the Gospel, who is now completing his 
studies in our Theological Seminary, and who, 
having been accepted by our Board of Foreign 
Missions, expects, in the course of the ensuing 
year, to go forth as a missionary to the heathen. 

The Sabbath school here has been a highly 
cherished, carefully conducted, deeply interesting, 
and there is every reason to believe most profita- 
ble institution. Who that knew him, had seen his 
smiling face, and heard his stirring voice, will for- 
get the old superintendent William Woram, who 
commenced this school as soon as the lecture room 
was opened, and for eighteen years conducted it, 



52 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



and, until his death, evinced a warm interest in 
its welfare ? Nor do we believe that the services 
of his successors, Bauman Lowe, Louis J. Belloni, 
John Woolsey, James Y. Freeman, and A. C. 
Stryker, nor of the other Christian men and 
women who have filled other offices, will soon 
fade from remembrance. And fresh and sweet as 
the laurel to the heart of many a scholar, we are 
sure will be the instructions of those faithful 
teachers whose names cannot be mentioned now, 
but whose witness is in heaven, whose record is on 
high. 

And if we may be permitted to exhibit a little 
vanity, we will speak again of the benevolence of 
this Church. In very few portions of Zion has 
the spirit of gospel liberality been more apparent 
than here. All the worthy causes have in turn 
received attention, and some have been largely 
patronized. In the early period of its existence, 
the Broome Street Church had an auxiliary to the 
American Colonization Society. From a report 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 53 



in the handwriting of the late Mr. Samuel Kip, 
secretary, it appears that in the year 1833 there 
was contributed by this Church to that society the 
sum of $300. The children have been trained to 
deeds of benevolence, and for many years have 
collected in their missionary society in the Sabbath 
school, and contributed to our Board of Domestic 
Missions, the sum of $300 a year toward the sup- 
port of the Mission of the Thousand Isles in the St. 
Lawrence river. I think the Lord must love this 
people. He says he loves the cheerful giver, and 
such unquestionably are some of these. Even the 
last year, when straining every nerve to support 
this sinking enterprise, the Broome Street Ee- 
formed Dutch Church has contributed to benevo- 
lent purposes nearly $3,000. Nor do we believe 
this has been given from vain show. Much of it 
has quietly, unostentatiously been bestowed by 
those in humble circumstances. Love for souls 
and a desire for God's glory has engendered self- 
denial. And this self-denial has with many been 
the result of fixed principle, and systematic ar- 



54 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



rangement, not the offspring of excited emotion. 

{See Note F.) 

II. Such is the way the Lord has led us. Now 
let us secondly and briefly consider How we 

should remember it. 

1. We cannot now think of it without a feeling 
of sadness. Changes always denote imperfection ; 
they remind us of sin, the cause of all our woe. 
Those which transpire regularly, as the alternation 
of day and night, of winter and summer, and the 
succession of childhood, youth, manhood and old 
age, bring to the thoughtful mind at times a tinge 
of melancholy. Every thing around us is muta- 
ble ; ever mutable ; even the countenances, forms, 
voices, actions, perhaps affections of those we most 
dearly love. 

"Ah, me ! what is there in earth's various range 
Which time and absence may not sadly change ?" 

Like the fleecy cloud, the birds in autumn time, 
the flowing stream, the dew-drop of the morning, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



55 



so all things else are passing away. This world is 
a vast moving panorama, and as the scene glides 
onward, we, too, move, and all are hastening to 
the grave of the future — the oblivion of the past, 
except that which is immortal. 

But we are now the victims of peculiar change. 
Remorseless time has made especial havoc in 
our midst. Who can but sigh as he beholds the 
fairest portions of our city, once inhabited by the 
good and great, now abandoned to filthy lucre, 
natural pollution, and moral degradation? But 
most of all to be deprecated is the removal of our 
churches. We cannot but regard this as vandal- 
ism, necessary though it is. Look at these hal- 
lowed walls — strong as when they were first rear- 
ed ; at this pleasant sanctuary, so commodious and 
symmetrical ; at these pews, in which so many 
have worshiped God, and in which, up to the 
present time, despite the changes, a goodly throng 
have regularly assembled. Look at this pulpit, 
from which, for many years, the Word of God has 



56 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



been proclaimed, and then ask, "Why must this 
all come to desolation ?" But why institute the in- 
quiry ? It is quite useless. The fact itself is per- 
ceptible. We follow down the stream of history 
for the last score of years, and we discern changes — 
changes. We see the moth insidiously but surely 
accomplishing destruction. Like the traveler, we 
sit down amid the holy ruins, and sigh at the rav- 
ages of time. We weep for the days of old. For 
ourselves we weep. How can we leave these holy 
courts, where so often we have held delightful 
converse with each other and the Lord? Like 
the Hebrew bard in Babylon, we exclaim, in the 
bitterness of our souls, "How can we sing the 
Lord's song in a strange land ?" And more pro- 
fusely still our tears flow forth for those who live 
in sin around this house of God. Soon these sa- 
cred walls will no longer in mute but mighty elo- 
quence remonstrate against iniquity ; and this 
minister will no longer appear in times of fune- 
real sorrow or connubial bliss to speak a word in 
this vicinity for Jesus. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



57 



O ! we cannot but feel sad. Nature will weep, 
and grace stands by and bids the gushing fountain 
flow. Happy for us, my hearers, if in this season 
of sorrow we have, in the retrospection of the past, 
no personal errors to mourn ; no derelictions to 
lament ; if, w-hile our souls cleave unto the dust, 
each can lay his hand upon his heart, and say, 
"To the utmost of my power I have done my 
duty to God and my fellow men, for the welfare 
of this Church, and the reformation of the sur- 
rounding Sodom." 

2. But, beloved people, we should also remem- 
ber the way which God has led us with gratitude. 
While we sorrow, let us not forget the blessings 
of the past, and those which now are mingled 
with adversity. In reviewing the days and years 
gone by, do we not see much to fill our hearts 
with joy, and to call forth now and ever the praises 
of our lips? Think how kindly God has led you, 
and your fathers and mothers, who now sleep in 

the dust of the earth ! Think of the great and nu- 
3* 



58 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



merous privileges here enjoyed, the words of in- 
struction that have fallen from earnest lips, the 
consolation you have received in times of be- 
reavement, the pleasant intercourse with Chris- 
tian friends, the sweet music to which you have 
listened and in which you have joined ! Think 
of the devout supplications offered up here in your 
behalf, the gentle breathings of the Holy Ghost 
wooing your souls to repentance and faith, the 
angels bending from heaven to catch your first 
penitential sigh, and carry it with joy to heaven! 
And think, too, of your wishes here accomplished ; 
of children, parents, partners, friends, who, in an- 
swer to your fervent prayers here offered, have 
been raised from the borders of the grave, or have 
bowed in contrition at the Cross, and here in full 
faith have taken your Saviour to be theirs ! Think 
of the good seed here sown, which yet may spring 
from the heart, and bear fruit to the glory of God ! 
Think of the "Word which has here been treasured 
up and carried forth to every portion of our land 
by earnest, self-denying Christians, and which, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



59 



after this temple is demolished, may be conveyed 
to China, India or the isles of the sea ! Think of 
the prayers and alms which have come up as a 
memorial before God, and which will be influential 
while the world lasts. O, friends, this Church has 
been no failure. From beginning to end it has 
been a success. Most signally has God blessed it. 
And to Him be all the glory ! The departed Mc 
Lean and Brodhead cry ever before the throne, 
" To Him be all the glory " ! These pastors on 
earth cry out, "To Him be all the glory" ! The 
whole Church, past, present and to come, in earth 
and heaven, here and every where, unite in the 
shout, "To Him be all the glory"! "Blessing 
and honor, and glory and power, be unto Him 
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb 
for ever " ! 

Pastors have reason to thank God that they have 
here been permitted to preach to an intelligent, 
attentive, loving, working, benevolent people. 
And the people may thank God (I speak now of 



60 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

my predecessors, not myself) that they have been 
favored with the ministry of men, all but one train- 
ed up in our Reformed Dutch Church, all attach- 
ed to our institutions, all evangelical in their 
teachings, all men of piety, prudence, prayer, 
and fearless in their advocacy of truth. Blessed 
be God, the history of this Church is no mean 
record. It will bear inspection. This we say not 
in vain boast, but in devout gratitude. For it is 
all of God. 

3. We should also remember the way God has 
led us with hope. 

This hope, brethren, is a great support. A 
sweet writer has said : 

" She lights our gloom — she soothes our care — 
She bids our fears depart ; 
Transmutes to gems each grief-fraught tear, 
And binds the broken heart. 

She glances o'er us from above, 

The brightest star that 's given, 
And guides us still, through faith and love, 

To endless peace in Heaven." 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



61 



The youthful bride, going forth from the paren- 
tal roof, weeps at the breaking up of old associa- 
tions, but her heart is buoyant with expectation of 
sweeter joys to spring from the new relation form- 
ed. The emigrant, forced by stern necessity to 
leave the home of his childhood, the land of his 
birth, sheds many bitter tears, but as he turns his 
eye across the deep blue sea to the far-off country 
where he understands that peace and plenty, law 
and liberty, are dominant, his drooping spirits are 
aroused, and hope exultant springs up in his 
breast. 

Shall it not be so with us as a Church ? Some 
I know must leave us, and to such I feel that I am 
now preaching my farewell discourse as a pastor. 
But, beloved, though we part, we hope to meet 
again. .Review the past. Remember the way 
God has led us. And will he not still direct your 
footsteps ? He will if you trust in Him as your 
Guide. Perhaps in more pleasant pasture fields, 
and beside more cooling streams, he will conduct 



62 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



you in life's pilgrimage. But let the eye of hope 
look farther. Beyond these earthly scenes, when 
the scroll of time is rolled together and sealed ; 
when earth, with its changes, has forever faded 
from our vision, then, dear flock, from whom we 
part to-night, then we shall meet again. 

"O Heaven is where no secret dread 

May haunt love's meeting hour; 
Where, from the past, no gloom is shed 

O'er the heart's chosen bower ; 
Where every severed wreath is bound — 

Where none have heard the knell 
That smites the heart with that deep sound — 

Farewell, beloved, farewell !" 

But will we all meet there? Would we could 
with assurance say : Yes, all. But you know full 
well that none but they who trust in Jesus can 
gain entrance there. Let me again ask you, some 
of you perhaps for the last time, say, will you go 
with us to Mount Zion ? How my heart yearns 
over you ! With these poor lips I have often told 
you of Jesus. Bear me witness that, with all my 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



63 



infirmities I have never withheld from you the plain 
Gospel. In the name of Him I serve I have warn- 
ed, expostulated, entreated. And now again I 
invite you who are yet impenitent to meet us in 
glory. I trust you will not turn from the divine 
Son of God, though you may from his unworthy 
servant. In the calm evening hour of the Sabbath 
day, and amid these solemn closing scenes, I pray 
God that he will now impress every mind, and 
lead us all to Jesus' cross, and from the cross on- 
ward and upward to the crown in heaven ! 

But hope inspires us with reference to the way 
yet before us, as well as the promised land beyond. 
This Church does not cease its existence. It will 
live, although elsewhere. And its prosperity in 
the past is, we trust, a harbinger of still greater 
and more lasting usefulness in the future. Con- 
vinced that we have done our duty, that God in 
his providence is leading us, we go forward, not 
dispirited, but hopeful. Many of this congrega- 
tion have anticipated us in our removal. Year 



64 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



after year they have gone up, and doubtless not a 
few will join us and our new friends in the new 
home. Some go with us, others will follow. 
There is a tie that binds many to us which will 
not yet be severed. We know there are those 
who have a life interest in this Church, who have 
too long been attached to it, too faithfully served 
it, too tenderly loved it, to bid it now farewell. It 
is the Church of their fathers, the Church of their 
children — their first, only love. Never will they, 
can they forget it. Though separated from it by 
thousands of miles, they would remember it in 
their prayers, and help it with their money and 
influence. Does the parent cast off his child who 
seeks a distant home? and will the child reject 
the parent who, by the force of circumstances, 
leaves him ? No, neither will these loved and 
trusty ones desert us. 

Our history, my friends, is precious, it is 
worth more than our property. The names 
of these dear fathers in the ministry, and of the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



65 



lamented Brodhead and McLean, are with us. 
But more than all our hope is in God. He has 
led us, and will lead us. The banner of his love 
is floating over us. His arm defends us; his voice 
cheers us. In his strength we go forward. 

And now farewell, old sanctuary ! Peace is 
written over thy door. {See Note G.) May the 
peace which has here ever reigned dwell in each 
of our hearts, and be our watchword in all our new 
relations ! Farewell, ye walls which have often 
echoed with the voices of those now singing in 
glory ! Farewell, consecrated ground, on which 
our fathers built a house for God ! Farewell, old 
scenes, in which for many happy years we have 
commingled ! Farewell, dear friends, from whom 
we part ! Beloved hearers, may we all sit together 
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, here if we 
may — but whether here or not, at last and forever 
in that temple not made with hands, eternal in 
the heaven ! 



66 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



And now unto Him that is able to do exceeding 
abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord- 
ing to the power that worketh in us : unto Him be 
glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout 
all ages, world without end. Amen ! 



NOTES. 



NOTE A, Page 17. 

The Consistory, feeling greatly indebted to their 
beloved Treasurer for his long and efficient ser- 
vices, through a committee signified their inten- 
tion to present him with a set of silver plate as a 
mark of their love for him, and appreciation of his 
efforts for the prosperity of their Zion. This he 
declined receiving on the ground of its expense. 
Accordingly, a large and handsome gold medal 
was procured from Ball, Black & Co., which was 
presented to Mr. Kip, on Thursday evening, May 
10th, 1860, the Consistory being present, and the 
Pastor making the presentation address. The fol- 
lowing are the inscriptions : 



APPENDIX . 



69 



NOTE B, Page 18. 

The remains of Mrs. Mc Lean were removed a 
few days subsequent to the final services in the 
church. They were found in an undisturbed state. 
So peacefully had they reposed for thirty-five 
years in their resting-place, that when the coffin 
was opened, the features of the countenance were 
as plainly distinguishable as in life. This sacred 
dust is now lying in a private vault in the ceme- 
tery of the Reformed Dutch Church in Houston 
street. 

NOTE 0, Page 24. 

In liquidating this and other debts, incurred in 
our early history, two gentlemen of means and in- 
fluence took a prominent part, and to them is to 
be attributed much of our past prosperity. The 
name of one has been mentioned. It is but jus- 
tice to record the name of the other, Hon. Myn- 



70 



APPENDIX. 



dert Van Schaich^ who was not only a staunch 
friend in the olden time, but since his removal has 
ever evinced as well as expressed his regard for 
our continued welfare. 



NOTE D, Page 46. 

The debt in 1857 amounted to $15,000. The 
financial crisis which soon after visited this com- 
munity, and which more or less affected all our 
metropolitan Churches, increased it to $17,000. 
This amount was accordingly taken up, and a 
Church bond given for its future payment, and 
the floating obligations were canceled. The fol- 
lowing year a floating debt was added of $1,000, 
and this, despite all efforts to prevent it. Early in 
1859 the Consistory foresaw they would need at 
least $2,000 to carry them through the ensuing 
year, and applied to the gentleman who held the 
bond of $17,000 to add to it that amount. This 
he declined doing. Other parties refused to loan 



APPENDIX. 



71 



the amount on account of the preceding bond. 
The only alternative was for the Consistory to put 
their note in the bank, endorsed by them indi- 
vidually. This note was to mature in May, 1860, 
and the only way to meet it, and also to escape 
the tide of the future rolling in still more heavily, 
was to sell the property. The congregation had 
repeatedly been consulted in this matter. They 
had been asked to come to the rescue. They could 
not. The inevitable necessity, therefore, was to 
sell or be sold. 

NOTE E, Page 49. 

The Eev. Mr. Yan Nest and Dr. Bethune, asso- 
ciated in the pastorate of the Keformed Dutch 
Church in Twenty-first street, deploring the remo- 
val of the Broome Street Church, very kindly ex- 
pressed a willingness to take charge of the field. 
Great hopes were at one time cherished by the 
Pastor and Consistory that some arrangement 



72 



APPENDIX. 



might be made. They were prepared to make 
sacrifices for its accomplishment. But in a con- 
versation which these gentlemen held with our 
Treasurer, and also in a note addressed by one of 
them to the Pastor, they finally expressed them- 
selves as compelled to decline moving in the mat- 
ter. 



NOTE F, Page 54. 



When the present pastor came in charge of this 
Church, he was quite curious to learn who was the 
generous "lady of the Broome Street Reformed 
Dutch Church," whose contribution of one hun- 
dred dollars every quarter of a year to the General 
Synod's Board of Domestic Missions, was acknow- 
ledged in the Christian Intelligencer. To his sur- 
prise he found she had moved to Philadelphia and 
joined a Presbyterian Church in that city. But 
her heart was still in the Broome Street Church, 
with which she had been connected nearly thirty 



APPENDIX. 



13 



years. The sum of four hundred dollars annually 
she gave to support the Rev. Jerome A. Daven- 
port as an itinerant missionary in the west. This 
she continued to give until last year, when Mr. 
Davenport, on account of his health, took a per- 
manent charge, and the itinerant mission became 
vacant. I do not feel at liberty to name one who 
has unostentatiously styled herself " the Lady of 
the Broome Street Reformed Dutch Church." I 
doubt not her name is written in the Lamb's book 
of life. May she realize the promise "His leaf 
also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall 
prosper /" 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE G, Page 65. 



INSCRIPTION ON THE CHURCH DOOR, 



BEFOKMED 

PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH. 
ERECTED, A. D., 1823. 

Peace be within thy Walls. 
Psa. cxxn : 7. 



APPENDIX, 



SEAL OF THE CHURCH. 



APPENDIX. 



PASTOES. 

Eev. Eobert Mc Lean, from 1824 to 1826 

Eev. Jacob Brodhead, D.D., " 1826 " 1837 

Bev.Sam'lA.YanYranken,D.D., " 1837 " 1841 

■ Eev. George H. Fisber, D.D., " 1841 " 1854 

Eev. Henry Y. Yoorhees, " 1855 " 1855 

Eev. Peter Stryker, " 1856 " — 

TEEASTTEEES. 
Leonard W. Kip, Esq., from 1823 to 1835 

William Hardenbrook, Jr., " 1835 « 1838 

Leonard W. Kip, Esq. " 1838 " 1860 



APPENDIX. 



77 



CLERKS. 



James Smith, 


from 1823 to 1826 


Anthony Woodward, 


u 


1826 


u 


1831 


David M. Moore, 


a 


1831 


u 


1833 


Bauman Lowe, 


U 


1833 


u 


1810 


Eder V. Haughwout, 


u 


1810 




1846 


Henry Paterson, 




1846 


u 


1847 


John S. Woodward, 


c< 


im 




1819 


Solomon S. Kimball, 


u 


1849 


« 


1852 


Oscar Schenck, 


a 


1852 




1853 


Henry Oamerclen, Jr., 


a 


1853 


u 


1851 


James Y. Freeman, 


u 


1854 


u 


1857 


Eichard Stout, Jr., 


u 


1857 


<< 


1858 


Archibald Wight, 


u 


1858 


a 


1859 


Abm. C. Stryker, 


U 


1859 


a 





78 



APPENDIX* 



ELDEKS. 

Luke Hinchcliff 
Stephen Hasbrock, M.D. 
James Ackerman 
Abraham Yan Cleef 
Robert Buchan 
John Atwood 
John Ganse 
William Keily 
Aaron Brinckerhoff 
William Poe 
Joseph Martin 
Anthony Woodward 
Joseph Concklin 



APPENDIX. 

Edward Meeks 
Lewis Thornell 
Sylvester Earle 
Caleb B. Haviland 
William Woram 
David Gulick 
Peter Morris 
Edmund Arrowsmith 
William Hardenbrook, Jr. 
Abraham D. Stephens 
William P. Stoutenburgh 
Joseph Frear 
Richard Wight 
Cornelius Jacobus 
Ban man Lowe 
Samuel Eells 



APPENDIX. 

John M. Byer 
Thomas Boyd, M.D. 
Louis J. Belloni 
Theophilus L. Houghton 
John S. "Woodward 
William Kirby 
John Woolsey 
Leonard W. Kip 
Benjamin Wood 
George Mather 
Daniel Howell 
John S. Hoagland 
Lawrence Wiseburn 
James Dailey 
Thomas Biley 
Harvey Miner 



APPENDIX. 

Albert Slauson 
John C. Barclay 
Nicholas Rogers 
Henry Camerden, Jr. 
Hiram B. Jackson 



82 



APPENDIX, 



DEACONS, 

John Butler 

James Smith 

William Keily 

John J. Ruton, M.D. 

Sylvester Earle 

Anthony Woodward 

William Woram 

Jacob Bogert 
* 

Joseph Concklin 
Caleb D. Haviland 
David C. Buchan 
Edwin A. Dodge 
Leonard W. Kip 



APPEITOIX. 



Elnathan H. Se^rs 
Henry V. Garretson 
Henry Lippincott 
Abraham Lott 
David M. Moore 
James Anderson, M.D. 
Peter Morris 
William W. Cowan 
Bauman Lowe 
William Fordham 
Cornelius C. Jacobus 
Andrew Wight 
Theophihis L. Houghton 
John M. Eyer 
Lawrence Proudfoot, M.D. 
Louis J. Belloni 



APPENDIX. 

Nicholas D. Herder 
Eder V. Haughwout 
Abraham D. Weeks 
John Gray 
John 1ST. Genin 
John S. "Woodward 
David Beach 
Robert Smith 
William Becker 
Henry Patterson 
John M. Roome 
Richard Yoorhis 
John Williamson 
Solomon S. Kimball 
A. A. Mc Withey 
Thomas Barry 



APPENDIX. 

Peter Duryee 
Horatio J. Ware 
John 0. Barclay 
Gideon Jennings 
Henry Camerden, Ji\ 
John A. Van Buskirk 
James Y. Freeman 
Harvey Miner 
John S. Martin 
Richard Stout 
Thomas Little 
Myron K. Moore 
Archibald Wight 
James W. Purdy, M.D. 
John X). Watson 
Abraham 0, Stryker 



APPENDIX, 

Ira H. Tompkins 
Henry C. Halsey 
Samuel Y. S. Mandeville 
Abraham A. Stager 



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